Announcement - WIT Month is back this August! Vote for the groupread and start planning Scallydandling about the books 2026-09-29 | Announcement - WIT Month is back this August! Vote for the groupread and start planning
2024: my best poetry and plays read in the year and the last and most obscure of my 2024 favourites Scallydandling about the books 2025-01-15 | This video is just for poetry and drama lovers, especially those who read classics. You are special and thanks for being here!It was not a stellar year for me reading drama so three honourable mentions:The Belle's Strategem by Hannah Cowley London Assurance by Dion Boucicault Alan's Wife by Florence Bell and Elizabeth RobinsBut a strong top five books of poetry:The Home Child by Liz BerryPoems of Nazim Hikmet translated by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk In Parenthesis by David Jones The Iliad by Homer translated by Robert Fagles and Emily Wilson The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
2024 new novels: a personal top 20 of contemporary fiction I read this past year Scallydandling about the books 2025-01-12 | I read about 60 good new novels and novellas over 2024. Here's my top twenty and why. All first published in the 2020s. All great and warmly recommended. I made myself rank a top ten but the difference between them is small and could be different if I spent another week agonising over this. 0:00 Intro ramble and favourites excluded because they are in a series2:28 Half the twenty, not ranked. Alphabetical by author surname13:38 Top ten from book number 10 to 621:36 Top ten from number 5 to 228:00 My number one new novel read in 2024Books mentioned in alphabetical order by author:Not a River by Selva Almada translated by Annie McDermottMammoth by Eva Baltasar translated by Julia Sanches The Women of Troy by Pat Barker You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue translated by Natasha Wimmer James by Percival EverettBrotherless Night by VV GaneshananthanEnter Ghost by Isabella HammadThe Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan KarunatilakaSoldier Sailor by Claire KilroyHappiness Falls by Angie KimThe Skull by Jon KlassenGlorious Exploits by Ferdia LennonThe Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst by Katie Lumsden Western Lane by Chetna MarooNorth Woods by Daniel MasonThe Land in Winter by Andrew Miller Still Born by Guadelupe Nettel translated by Rosalind HarveyTi Amo by Hanne Ørstavik translated by Martin Aitken The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid PersaudTime of the Flies by Claudia Piñeiro translated by Frances Riddle Gliff by Ali Smith Briefly, a Delicious Life by Nell StevensThe Night Alphabet by Joelle Taylor The Echoes by Evie Wyld After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz
2024: the best ten classic and backlist novels I read this past year Scallydandling about the books 2025-01-07 | These are the best or most memorable amongst the fifty five works of older fiction I read in 2024. My top ten in order they were originally published:The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu c.1000CE translated by Royall Tyler 2001Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens 1837Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope 1867The Voyage Out by Virginia Woolf 1915The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen 1936The Forbidden Notebook by Alba de Céspedes 1952 translated by Ann Goldstein 2023The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence 1964The Singapore Grip by JG Farrell 1978Human Acts by Han Kang 2014 translated by Deborah Smith 2017Marzahn Mon Amour by Katja Oskamp 2019 translated by Jo Heinrich 2022Thank you to the lovely people I shared some of these books with in buddy and group reads including:Jo Smith Sarah @HardcoverHearts Shawn @shawnbreathesbooks Priscilla @EveningReader Sarah @sarah-roadworthy Ian Powell
2024 Nonfiction: my personal top five Scallydandling about the books 2025-01-04 | I read some great nonfiction in 2024. These are the books that have stuck with me most.Honourable mentions:The Dam by David Almond and Levi Pinfold Pyongyang: a journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle translated by Helge DascherTop five in no particular order:Strong Female Character by Fern BradyI Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O'FarrellA Flat Place by Noreen MasudThunderclap: A Memoir of Art & Life & Sudden Death by Laura CummingEve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat BohannonMore best of 2025 videos coming soon.
Five year thank you and 2025 plans #readingtheglobefiction2025 Scallydandling about the books 2025-01-01 | 1st January 2025 is my five year anniversary having a BookTube channel and I'm still loving the way it adds joy to my reading life by connecting me with other readers. Thank you everyone. 2025 reading events mentioned:Reading The Globe Fiction with Katja. See youtu.be/3xzEp5gHE5s?si=hjdISCZt2YBD_1xt and youtu.be/au89JP4UG8s?si=DKq3Uga0OTQt4umvJanuary's book is Clean by Alia Trabucco Zerán translated by Sophie Hughes Visit @PageTurnersWithKatja to find out about the YA and Classics versions too. And join us on Discord discord.gg/P2N89wdmZyTilly @tillysshelf and Ros read contemporary fiction.January's book is The Borrowed Hills by Scott PrestonEndless Drama hosted by @readandre-read youtu.be/3AgSIcBANug?si=HxeAJmQRHjDTdbm-January plays: RUR by Karel Čapek and Pygmalion by George Bernard ShawHistorathon 2025 with @revenantreads @RaynorReadsStuff @BookTimewithElvis and others. youtu.be/MB57lBdRguc?si=Rg-Fms-xQXL7IjmfMy choice for the first quarter: The Darkening Age by Catherine NixeyThe FOMO Book Club with @spreadbookjoy and @GemofBooks youtu.be/vDfF0qCFhRc?si=fYUxM1RLC8cO5I7vBooks and Bocadillos with Mariandrea @books_and_bocadillos youtu.be/ojDOJ06erUA?si=jz9yxrwn7_1UXx29Belief and Behaviour with Gareth @bookssongsandothermagic youtu.be/8I53Sbr58is?si=zNyxRWGdaiobcwvmJanuary/February book is The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat by Oliver SacksAgatha for Alice with Emily @novellenovels youtu.be/ziEPFCEIgto?si=yPp2cYCga7U4qtoLFind out more about #booktubeprize @BookTubePrize Other books mentioned:Mother's Boy by Patrick GaleThe Voyage Home by Pat Barker with Berna @BernasBookishAdventures The Odyssey by Homer in translations by Emily Wilson and Robert FaglesElena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro translated by Frances Riddle with @BookChatWithPat8668 and the Piñeiro team
Clean by Alia Trabucco Zeran Oulivestream with Ros & Katja Scallydandling about the books 2024-12-31 | Join me and Katja as we discuss Clean by Alia Trabucco Zeran, the first book in our Reading the Globe - Fiction readalong.
Wrapping up December: new novels, classics, crime and reflecting on old-fashioned attitudes Scallydandling about the books 2024-12-31 | December was full of good stuff.0:00 Intro ramble1:49 The Voyage Out by Virginia Woolf 4:45 Thursday Night Widows by Claudia Piñeiro translated by Miranda France. Group led by @BookChatWithPat8668 6:53 Murder at the Vicarage and The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie. Christie's Missing host @BernasBookishAdventures 8:05 The Return of Sherlock Holmes and His Last Bow by Arthur Conan Doyle, plus a little reflection on encountering ideas and behaviour in older books that are offensive or upsetting10:45 Captains of the Sands by Jorge Amado translated by Gregory Rabassa13:33 The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu translated by Royall Tyler18:34 Poems of Nazim Hikmet translated by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk20:40 A Lover's Complaint by William Shakespeare youtu.be/ZM5_yOcuuW0?si=mzq9RdJ0xA1HyLt7 @TootightLautrec 22:13 The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune with @tillysshelf youtu.be/eOiMrCsmoQo?si=sQImkE6wtVc1RLIR23:49 The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley youtu.be/9kXvien62Wg24:44 The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller youtu.be/IXd_89cPYlk?si=ElIlK1WlI854HKNk and @EricKarlAnderson 's review too youtu.be/TMZTycXW1As?si=9Ex3oTZPi1KZTdUy26:18 The Wood in Midwinter by Susanna Clarke youtu.be/mlD9gPpmd8Y?si=v-2R4Bjpz3gw1u2N27:04 "Ghosts of Christmas Past" stories: The Old Nurse's Tale by Elizabeth Gaskell, At Chrighton Abbey by Mary Elizabeth Braddon, The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde and host @revenantreads
The Ministry of Time: a mix of sci-fi, romance, historical fiction, political thriller but it works! Scallydandling about the books 2024-12-28 | One of my last books of 2024 was a really enjoyable read.The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley.
The Wood in Midwinter by Susanna Clarke - a mini-review of a mini-book Scallydandling about the books 2024-12-13 | This is dark little fable from Susanna Clarke was published in the UK in November in time for the festive season.
Quiet but deep (and thats not just the snowdrifts) - The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller Scallydandling about the books 2024-12-11 | The Land in Winter is Andrew Miller's tenth novel and a fine one if you like a well crafted, character led story.
November: a mixed bag of fiction with real hits and a couple of near misses Scallydandling about the books 2024-12-07 | A romp through the fiction I read in November. 0:00 Intro ramble1:04 Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie 2:54 All Yours by Claudia Piñeiro 4:58 Time of the Flies by Claudia Piñeiro 9:35 The White Book by Han Kang. Han Kang video youtu.be/gxQrUrezUOU?si=6HQouq6_687huoJc10:04 a reminder about Reading the Globe in 2025 with me and @PageTurnersWithKatja including We Do Not Part by Han Kang. I said February but meant March! Join us on Discord discord.gg/GXK2F4Qc. Announcements youtu.be/au89JP4UG8s?si=qHOEEu5DPeBmpG49 or youtu.be/3xzEp5gHE5s?si=qctuk1SDKFOTqN-E12:28 Gliff by Ali Smith. Video youtu.be/Ifg3vLbfE0M?si=kjbYi4MHLL46iiVW13:56 Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie. Video discussion with Tilly @tillysshelf on her channel youtu.be/sSXfKkYZAfw?si=yO7W-L1q65QIVd4z15:26 The In-Between by Christos Tsiolkas 19:52 The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle The lovely Piñeiro group some of whom are also talking about her books on their channels:@BookChatWithPat8668 @readandre-read @RaynorReadsStuff @books_and_bocadillos @MIDDLEoftheBookMARCH @BookishTexan @stalkingkafka Erin H Arianne Fowler
Celebrating Nonfiction November Scallydandling about the books 2024-12-05 | Olive @abookolive has said this is her last year hosting #nonfictionnovember and I want to say thank you to Olive for all the love, fun and energy she has brought to it over the years. I took extra care to enjoy her four cryptic prompts for the last time.0:00 Intro ramble and thanks to Olive2:28 MacArthur's Bloody Butchers by Brian Bruce7:35 How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair 12:16 Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall16:36 Wilding by Isabella TreeBrian @BookishTexan talking about his book For more about Knepp and rewilding knepp.co.uk
December reading plans and going a bit seasonal for once #christiesmissingreadathon2024 Scallydandling about the books 2024-12-01 | I don't generally think of reading seasonally but seem to be tending that way this December with crime, ghosts and wintery books planned. Christie's Missing hosts@BernasBookishAdventures @naomisbookshelf @RachaelFryman Ghosts of Christmas Past hostsVin @revenantreads Mark @BookTimewithElvisDebs @RaynorReadsStuff Elaine @Cobaltdragon Mindy @mindysbookjourney Dave and Olive @BookBlather Books mentioned:Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie Thursday Night Widows by Claudia Piñeiro translated by Miranda FranceThe Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle The Old Nurse's Story by Elizabeth Gaskell The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clark (also Piranesi and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell)The Voyage Out by Virginia WoolfMiddlemarch by George Eliot Captains of the Sands by Jorge Amado (also Gabriela Clove and Cinnamon)The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (also Somewhere Beyond the Sea)The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller (also Pure)
Gliff by Ali Smith - a new novel by a favourite author. Does it live up to expectations? Scallydandling about the books 2024-11-17 | When I read really new fiction I try to share my thoughts in a quick review. I love Ali Smith and this is another brilliant book from her. So I enthuse but also share my slight niggle with the novel and I'd love to hear other views on it.For a lovely, insightful review see @EricKarlAnderson's video youtu.be/krY_XAogpNQ?si=YeCzfGYUqjVuVK9j
Do read Han Kang! Where to start with the new Nobel prizewinners books in English translation Scallydandling about the books 2024-11-10 | I love Han Kang for her intense, poetic writing so I was thrilled when she was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize for Literature. Here are my thoughts on the four of her books currently available in English:The Vegetarian 2007, translation by Deborah Smith 2015Greek Lessons 2011, translation by Deborah Smith and Emily Yae Won 2023Human Acts 2014, translation by Deborah Smith 2016The White Book 2016, translation by Deborah Smith 2027I hope this will encourage you to try one if you haven't read Han as yet.A fifth is due out early next year: We Do Not Part translated by E.Yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris. Katja @PageTurnersWithKatja and I have chosen it as our March book for our translated and global fiction readalong #ReadingTheGlobeFiction2025 so do join us for that. Find out more:youtu.be/au89JP4UG8s?si=8NrES6J4qb84u4Soyoutu.be/3xzEp5gHE5s?si=7aepsz2h-dFrnB53By a happy coincidence @JentheLibrarianreads has made a video about reading Han Kang that also appeared today do check that out too for her insightful thoughts youtu.be/dMC2W68G0x0?si=b1ZQQXEzFF9bcqh5Thank you Ian for being my Han Kang buddyreading partner and adding so much to my grasp of her books.
Victober 2024 wrapped! #victober Scallydandling about the books 2024-11-08 | It has been a tremendous Victober for me and I hope for you too. A huge thank you to the other hosts @katiejlumsden @katehowereads and Marissa @BlatantlyBookish, enormous appreciation from me to everyone who participated in Victober this year and above all to the wonderful Victober tribe on Discord who brought enthusiasm, energy and erudition to the conversation. See you next year!Books mentioned:The Doctor's Wife by Mary Elizabeth Braddon Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens Short Stories by Wilkie Collins A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle Oscar Wilde's plays including The Importance of Being Earnest, Lady Windermere's Fan, A Woman of No Importance, Salomé and the one I forgot, An Ideal Husband Charley's Aunt by Brandon Thomas London Assurance and The Colleen Bawn by Dion Boucicault Afternoon and Other Sketches by Ouida Alan's Wife by Florence Bell and Elizabeth RobinsAlso Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix for the FOMO bookclub hosted by @spreadbookjoy and @GemofBooks
Reading the Globe in 2025 announcement #ReadingTheGlobeFiction2025 Scallydandling about the books 2024-11-01 | Join me and Katja @PageTurnersWithKatja in a global reading adventure in 2025. Thank you Katja for initiating this lovely project. The Discord link to be part of the shared conversation discord.gg/P2N89wdmZyThere is a Storygraph challenge too. Thanks @ameliareads589 for this: app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/158535f8-2092-46c7-a3ee-a6cb04f528ba?redirect=trueThe books:January: Clean by Alia Trabucco Zerán translated by Sophie HughesFebruary: Beyond the Doors of No Return by David Diop translated by Sam Taylor March: We Do Not Part by Han Kang translated by E.Yaewon and Paige Aniyah MorrisApril: A Sunny Place for Shady People by Mariana Enriquez translated by Megan McDowellMay: Two Trees Make a Forest by Jessica LeeJune: The Third Love by Hiromi Kawakami translated by Ted GoossenJuly: Standing Heavy by GauZ translated by Frank WynneAugust: Old Kiln by Jia Pingwa translated by Christopher Payne, James Trapp and Olivia MilburnSeptember: The Director by Daniel Kehlmann translated by Ross Benjamin October: Edo's Souls by Stella Gaitano translated by Sawad Hussain November: The Understory by Saneh Sangsuk translated by Mui PropoksakulDecember: The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende translated by Frances Riddle
Who were the Victorian women working in theatre? What plays did they write? #victober Scallydandling about the books 2024-10-25 | Asked to name a woman playwright from the Victorian period most of us would struggle. But there were many women involved in the theatre, as actors, as producers and theatre managers, but also as playwrights. I had a little dig around and this is what I could find. If you are more expert on this please share additions or corrections.Plays mentioned:Quid Pro Quo by Catherine Gore https://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gore/quid/quid.htmlAfternoon by Ouida (Marie Louise de la Ramée) catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/011201858Alan's Wife by Florence Bell and Elizabeth Robins https://www.jsu.edu/robinsweb/alan/index.htmlVotes for Women by Elizabeth Robins https://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/vwwp/view?docId=VAB7192;chunk.id=d1e631;toc.depth=1;toc.id=;brand=vwwp;doc.view=0;query= The Mother of Three and The Matchmaker by Clotilde Graves (AKA Clo Graves and Richard Dehan) http://classicirishplays.com/content/1-playwrights/12-clotilde-graves/a-mother-of-three-by-clotilde-graves-pdf.pdf or catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100503599
Whats the most ridiculous plot twist ever? And why do Victorian writers love a coincidence? Scallydandling about the books 2024-10-20 | Here are my nominations for some of the most far-fetched coincidences, misunderstandings or cases of mistaken identity used as plot devices in Victorian literature. This #victober threw up some corkers for me.How do you feel about this sort of plot twist in Victorian writing? And today?Share your favourite examples. Try to avoid spoilers or mark that at the start of your comment so people are warned.Books mentioned:Oliver Twist, Pickwick Papers, Great Expectations and David Copperfield by Charles Dickens Tess of the D'Urbevilles by Thomas HardyJane Eyre by Charlotte BronteThe Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde The Doctor's Wife by Mary Elizabeth Braddon London Assurance by Dion BoucicaultAfternoon by Ouida (Maria Louise Ramé) available online https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupid?key=ha011201858Daniel Deronda by George Eliot
The colourful life of Dion Boucicault #victober Scallydandling about the books 2024-10-13 | Dion Boucicault (Dionysius Lardner Boursiquot, Lee Moreton) was one of the most successful actor-playwright-theatremanagers of the Victorian age. Born in Dublin in 1820, he moved between Ireland, England and the USA making and losing fortunes, friends, wives and business partners until his death in New York in 1890. I give a summary of his life and briefly review two of his 150+ plays: London Assurance and The Colleen Bawn as part of my focus on the Victorian theatre for Victober 2024.Photos of Dion and Agnes courtesy of The National Portrait Gallery, London.
A September of super shorter reads Scallydandling about the books 2024-10-09 | September for me had lots of rewarding shorter books.0:00 Intro ramble1:39 There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak. @tillysshelf and I recorded our discussion youtu.be/MrN8LhWZu8M?si=lhTNgiEdeIQMb5342:36 The Twilight Zone by Nona Fernández translated by Natasha Wimmer3:53 Ru by Kim Thuy translated by Sheila Fischman5:08 Ti Amo by Hanne Ørstavik translated by Martin Aitken 6:17 A Little Luck by Claudia Piñeiro translated by Frances Riddle 8:03 Mammoth by Eva Baltasar translated by Julia Sanches9:19 Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason11:42 Echoes by Evie Wyld13:36 Fell by Sarah Moss15:06 Quicksand by Nella Larsen19:02 Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton 20:50 Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence25:08 Spirit of Place by Susan Owens26:27 In Parenthesis by David JonesThanks again to the various hosts of September reading events Scott @GunpowderFictionPlot for Straya September Elisabeth @bouquinsbooks Heather @heathergregg9975 Lindy @lindysmagpiereads and Hannah @HannahsBooks for FramedBert @pastorytime2683 and Heather @TooManyHeathers for Shorty SeptemberNora who is pear jelly on Instagram instagram.com/pear.jelly?igsh=eHBsMjg4ZGlrazR4 for Spinster September
Oscar Wildes plays: the famous, the infamous and the forgotten #victober Scallydandling about the books 2024-10-06 | Oscar Wilde is my favourite Victorian playwright, along with many other readers and theatregoers. Here's an overview of Wilde's seven completed plays. He also left two unfinished ones which I don't cover.Vera or the NihilistsThe Duchess of PaduaSaloméLady Windermere's FanA Woman of No Importance The Ideal Husband The Importance of Being Earnest
BookTube Prize fiction final - how I cast my votes and why #booktubeprize Scallydandling about the books 2024-10-05 | The BookTube Prize 2024 has reached its finale. The judges drawn from BookTube, Bookstagram and BookTok have cast their final votes and Gold, Silver and Bronze medals have been awarded for Fiction and Nonfiction. I was a fiction judge and here's my rating of the six finalists. Does it match the overall results and do you agree or disagree? For full details of the books in each round and how the prize is run visit booktubeprize.org Thank you @Robert.Sheard for exemplary organisation of the competition and to all my fellow judges.You could be a judge in 2025. Anyone active on bookish social media can take part if willing to commit to reading the books. Watch out for an announcement on the channel @BookTubePrize
Happy Victober and heres my TBR #victober Scallydandling about the books 2024-09-30 | Victober plans fill me with joy.For more about Victober check the announcements and tbr videos of my fellow hosts @katiejlumsden @katehowereads and Marissa @BlatantlyBookish Do join the conversation on Discord discord.gg/u6Dam2wrYZAnd the Storygraph challenge app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/fd310e25-19f3-4aed-ad70-8c15a57e3803Books mentioned The Doctor's Wife by Mary Elizabeth BraddonPickwick Papers by Charles DickensRuth by Elizabeth GaskellA Terribly Strange Bed, The Dead Hand and The Dream Woman by Wilkie CollinsStudy in Scarlet. The Sign of Four, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Conan DoyleCharley's Aunt by Brandon Thomas Salome by Oscar WildeLondon Assurance by Dion BoucicaultAfternoon by OuidaAlan's Wife by Florence Bell and Elizabeth RobinsThe Internet Archive archive.org
Mammoth by Eva Baltasar: a short and happy review #shortyseptember Scallydandling about the books 2024-09-21 | Mammoth by Eva Baltasar translated from the Catalan by Julia Sanches is newly out in English in August 2024. It is book three in Baltasar's loose trilogy following Permafrost and Boulder.
The Echoes: new from Australian author Evie Wyld #shortyseptember #strayaseptember Scallydandling about the books 2024-09-15 | The Echoes is the brand new (August 2024) novel by Anglo-Australian author Evie Wyld. This is shorter and more intense than Bass Rock.Thank you Scott @GunpowderFictionPlot for encouraging me to pick up Australian books this month. Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason is next on my list.
Three superb novels by women in translation: Ti Amo, Ru and The Twilight Zone #shortyseptember Scallydandling about the books 2024-09-08 | I kicked off September with: The Twilight Zone by Nona Fernández translated by Natasha Wimmer Ru by Kim Thúy translated by Sheila Fischman Ti Amo by Hanne Ørstavik translated by Martin Aitken For more about that list of the best Canadian books of 21st century youtube.com/watch?v=Z2dkguNlyFs&t=0s from @BookwormAdventureGirl And @lindysmagpiereads on Ru and the rest of a French Canadian top twenty youtu.be/5qra7JDeA00?si=F48wfg7wWa3dP8ZL
Augusts reading joys: new novels, opinionated nonfiction, women in translation and a true epic Scallydandling about the books 2024-09-01 | A cheerful wrap up of August's reading.Events mentioned:@BookTubePrize #FaulknerinAugust#WIT Women in Translation Month @MarilynMayaMendoza Phenomenal Women readathon Books mentioned:North Woods by Daniel Mason The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner youtu.be/TKY2EbRTB8ISmall Joys by Elvin James Mensah youtu.be/L5ui8NqWtaQThe Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid Persaud youtu.be/fT734IzWf2AWifedom: Mrs Orwell's Invisible Life by Anna Funder Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon The Apple in the Dark by Clarice Lispector translated by Benjamin Moser The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu translated by Royall TylerThe Iliad by Homer translated by Emily Wilson and by Robert Fagles
Victober 2024 announcement #victober Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-31 | It's always a joy to announce that Victober is coming soon. Your hosts Katie @katiejlumsden , Kate @katehowereads , Marissa @BlatantlyBookish and I invite you to join us in spending the month of October enjoying Victorian literature, that is works by British and Irish authors published or written between 1837 and 1901. Join the conversation on Discord discord.com/invite/Zn4AQPnmfuThe group read is the Doctor's Wife by Mary Elizabeth Braddon. Reading two chapters a day from 1st to 17th October and the last three on 18th.The ChallengesMarissa's: Read a Victorian work that was originally serialisedKatie's: Read a Victorian book that plays with form in some wayKate's: Read a Victorian book where religion is a component of the storyMine: Experience Victorian drama - read, watch or listen to a Victorian playGroup challenge: Read a Victorian work by Wilkie Collins (loved by @jenniferbrooks) and/or Conan Doyle (loved by @AliceandtheGiantBookshelf )The announcement videos for more inspirationMarissa youtu.be/CXOcNjwVnhE?si=afkw73B5vlRWeqoqKate youtube.com/watch?v=qCRSmcSfpeE&t=0sKatie youtube.com/watch?v=ynyQHVDh190&t=0sSome Victorian dramatists and videos to get you inspiredOscar Wilde youtu.be/2G6OsMp4oKo?si=plRHyxjIgvJJAfDzGeorge Bernard Shaw youtu.be/ZD5Vez-oy2o Arthur Wing Pinero youtu.be/7Tb8CcP2PMU?si=Yc7GuC7KyAfLv1B2Brandon Thomas youtu.be/xXsXVQ1p24o?si=PSC9TQO99tvuBbJhWS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan youtu.be/BWFcMRYjJtA?si=8oaFJRCrnDMvenZTProject Gutenberg gutenberg.orgAnd an update thanks to the wonderful Jo Smith and Clare PotterJo says The Internet Archive archive.org/details/texts?tab=collection has at least three plays by Victorian women writers:Afternoon by OuidaMarjorie Daw by Mary Elizabeth Braddon Alan's Wife by Florence BellAnd Clare suggests Quid Pro Quo - The Day of the Dupes by Catherine Gore. It was performed at the Haymarket in 1844. There is a digitised version available on archive.org the audio is robotic but you can increase the text size.
As I Lay Dying: a chat with Steve at the end of Faulkner in August Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-27 | This year's William Faulkner groupread in August was As I Lay Dying. Thanks to the crew of hosts and the wonderfully active members of the Voxer discussion group who expanded my experience of the novel.Faulkner in August founders Allen and Brian @bighardbooks770 @BookishTexan All the co-hosts:@HannahsBooks @BookChatWithPat8668 @aaronfacer @anotherbibliophilereads @RaynorReadsStuff @knittingbooksetc.2810 @JimReadsTooSlow @TheCodeXCantina @M-J Join us next August for Go Down Moses.
A September TBR with a Shorty pile of possibilities Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-25 | I've got a definite plan for things to read in September plus a reckless pile of possibilities. Blame three attractive reading events:Framed hosted by @bouquinsbooks @HannahsBooks @lindysmagpiereads @anotherbibliophilereads and I missed saying Heather @heathergregg9975 but here is her announcement video youtu.be/ps9aPbLw6Hs?si=RNqMvE2lQoxJcztx and her inspiring pile of possibilities youtu.be/4eEGgqwm-aE?si=ELNz0bIq6IOMcwltStraya September hosted by @GunpowderFictionPlot Shorty September hosted by @pastorytime2683 and @TooManyHeathers I don't mention Shaketember in the video as it was getting overwhelming but I hope to also dip into that by reading Shakespeare's long poem The Rape of Lucrece. Shaketember announcement by Kelly youtu.be/TeVhBpYUQhU?si=PWxtVqJFYCR-6yIxThe TBR books:There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif ShafakThe Stone Angel by Margaret LaurenceA Little Luck by Claudia Piñeiro translated by Frances RiddleSpirit of Place by Susan Owens Sorrow and Bliss by Meg MasonTi Amo by Hanne Ørstavik translated by Martin AitkenRu by Kim Thúy translated by Sheila FischmanThe POP books:Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton The Stone Quartet by Alan GarnerSouthern Mail/Night Flight by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry translated by Curtis CateThe Fell by Sarah MossMoonraker by F. Tennyson JesseThe Tale of Princess Fatima, Warrior Woman translated and edited by Melanie MagidowYell Sam If You Still Can by Maylis Besserie translated by Clíona Ní RíordáinThe Wandering Falcon by Jamil AhmadQuicksand by Nella Larsen@BookwormAdventureGirl video about the best Canadian 21st century books youtu.be/wTP4ZpLsdUI?si=BqUCV5XxbzzE9mHG
Small Joys, Elvin James Mensah Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-23 | Tilly @tillysshelf and I are reading and discussing one piece of contemporary fiction each month this year. Small Joys by Elvin James Mensah was published in 2023. It is a warm-hearted debut novel by a young author from South-East London.Watch @shawnbreathesbooks interview the author youtu.be/ZSiLlBnQfD8?si=OK2ajZQFrHTJUHEg
Lost Love Songs make for a winning book Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-11 | An enthusiastic review of Ingrid Persaud's second novel The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh which was published late April this year.
Delightful historical fiction - The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst #montgomeryhurst Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-08 | Tilly @tillysshelf and I talk about the new novel by Katie of the wonderful booktube channel Books and Things. This is her second book. We loved it and so will you if you enjoy Victorian literature and smart historical fiction. Here is @katiejlumsden reading chapter one to get a taster youtu.be/IeSRPQ2t4RE?si=uJm4CV-QA0jSYtFyAnd that video has links about where to get hold of it. In the UK it should be in your local bookshop.We are discussing a recent novel every month this year. Our August book will be Small Joys by Elvin James Mensah. To whet your appetite here's @shawnbreathesbooks interviewing the author youtu.be/ZSiLlBnQfD8?si=WukfXEyOTYMsj5W9
Julys reading delights, Austen and otherwise Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-03 | July is always #janeaustenjuly for me now so the first half of this wrap up is Austen related. starting with the new novel by @katiejlumsden And the second half is all the other books I read ending with my favourite of the month.0:00 Intro ramble0:53 The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst by Katie Lumsden 2:25 Mansfield Park by Jane Austen 5:45 Catharine and Other Writings by Jane Austen 6:48 The Genius of Jane Austen by Paula Byrne 8:33 Who's the Dupe and The Belle's Stratagem by Hannah Cowley 11:20 trouble with the cat11:46 BookTube Prize reading - The Reformatory by Tannarive Due and Wellness by Nathan Hill 13:18 Factory Summers by Guy Delisle translated by Helge Dascher and Rob Aspinall14:42 Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better by Siobhan Miller15:49 A Time in Rome by Elizabeth Bowen 17:35 Selected Stories by Elizabeth Bowen selected by Tessa Hadley19:13 Marzahn Mon Amour by Katja Oskamp translated by Jo Heinrich 23:00 Closing rambleAusten's humour discussion with Tilly youtu.be/xqJMUhnOggA?si=BtJ3PiJQ4DjMtFmdBookTube Prize semifinal mini reviews youtu.be/b8ENMIy9FP0?si=ry4VzKZnWWgEyKZ2
Augusts pile of possibilities - WIT and Phenomenal Women Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-02 | A less excessive TBR than July's I hope.Reading events mentioned:Faulkner in August youtu.be/XLhNaJu1-YU?si=Zn7GhI5v5wRkBh2PWomen in Translation Month Phenomenal WomenBookTube Prize Booktube channels mentioned:@MarilynMayaMendoza @BookTubePrize @BernasBookishAdventures @shawnbreathesbooks @CharlieBrookReads Books mentioned:As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner The Apple in the Dark by Clarice Lispector translated by Benjamin Moser The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid Persaud Small Joys by Elvin James Mensah North Woods by Daniel Mason The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'DonoghueWifedom: Mrs Orwell's Invisible Life by Anna FunderEve: How the Female Body Shaped 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu edited and translated by Royall TylerIndigenous Literatures from Micronesia edited by Evelyn Flores and Emelihter Kihleng The Iliad by Homer translated by Emily WilsonIn Parenthesis by David Jones The Poems of Nazim Hikmet translated by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konak
Tough choices in the BookTube Prize semi finals #booktubeprize Scallydandling about the books 2024-08-01 | Six mini reviews of the novels in the semifinal group I judged. How did I rank them and did I pick the three that will reach the final?Thank you @Robert.Sheard for all you do to make @BookTubePrize possible.Find out more booktubeprize.orgYou could be a judge in 2025.
Which are the authors I have read all of or think I should? Scallydandling about the books 2024-07-24 | Yes that's Virginia Woolf in the thumbnail. She's one of five authors I haven’t yet "completed" by reading all their novels but will. Are you a completist? I'm not as a rule but #janeaustenjuly made me reflect that there are a few authors I do feel that way about. I thought I'd share the ones like Austen that I have already read everything by, which I won't attempt and which I will. I'd love to know yours too.This 1912 portrait of Woolf by Vanessa Bell is in the National Portrait Gallery in London. I don't know why her sister Bell blurred out her eyes.
Ros and Tilly celebrate Jane Austens comic brilliance #janeaustenjuly Scallydandling about the books 2024-07-20 | Tilly @tillysshelf and I share our appreciation of Jane Austen every year during Jane Austen July. This time we think about Austen's wicked wit and observational humour. We enjoy a happy ramble through some her comic writing, especially in her six major novels and reflect on how she uses humour to reveal character or progress a story. Thank you to the #janeaustenjuly hosts for giving us the excuse to talk about her again.@katiejlumsden @SpinstersLibrary @katehowereads @BlatantlyBookish
A mid year reading celebration, with a nod to the mid year freak out book tag Scallydandling about the books 2024-07-14 | My reading highlights from 2024 up until to the end of June. Loosely based on a venerable tag whose creator has long gone from BookTube. I talk at varying lengths about lots of books and authors. Here's a rough list in the order mentioned:Thunderclap by Laura Cummings A Flat Place by Noreen Masud The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange The Singapore Grip by JG Farrell The Women of Troy by Pat Barker The Apple in the Dark by Clarice Lispector translated by Benjamin MoserSmall Joys by Elvin James MensahMy Friends by Hisham MatarThe Last Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid Persaud (also Love After Love)The Voyage Home by Pat Barker The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst by Katie Lumsden The Bee Sting by Paul Murray Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt Home Child by Liz Berry Human Acts by Han Kang translated by Deborah SmithThe Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Welcome to St Hell by Lewis Hancox Strong Female Character by Fern Brady Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad The Forbidden Notebook by Alba de Céspedes translated by Ann Goldstein Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff (also Matrix)Not a River by Selva Almada translated by Annie McDermott (also Brickmakers)Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer The Wife of Bath: A Biography by Marion Turner Poyums by Len Pennie Happiness Falls by Angie Kim Western Lane by Chetna Maroo The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen Blossomise by Simon Armitage illustrated by Angela HardingThe Night Alphabet by Joelle Taylor Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel translated by Rosalind Harvey Brotherless Nights by VV Ganeshananthan After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz
You Dreamed of Empires - Ros and Tilly disagree about this new novel Scallydandling about the books 2024-07-11 | Tilly @tillysshelf and I are reading and discussing a contemporary novel every month this year. Our June choice was You Dreamed of Empires by Mexican writer Alvaro Enrigue translated by Natasha Wimmer. Pub;ished in Spanish in 2022 and in English in early 2024.Tilly and I are often in tune in our reactions but not this time. Expect a return to harmony with our July choice The Trouble With Mrs Montgomery Hurst by Katie Lumsden @katiejlumsden . It's Katie of Books and Things second novel and comes out in the UK on 17th July.Hear Katie talk about it youtu.be/XQ78AKalOqM?si=VvfFfJCt1ncOZEFQ or hear her read the first chapter youtu.be/IeSRPQ2t4RE?si=5gQLzDxOaK4cB6dY
June is packed with books - better use the time stamps. But first a moment about Alice Scallydandling about the books 2024-07-06 | A long and lively June wrap up with plenty of delights and discoveries. But first a little reflection on BookTube friendship, mourning Alice and meeting Berna.0:00 Intro. Thoughts about the loveliness that was Alice @AliceandtheGiantBookshelf. And a happy day with Berna @BernasBookishAdventures youtu.be/TUmvlz0HUME?si=-jq3PdYM8Sw3TfIu4:04 Pyongyang by Guy Delisle translated by Helge Dascher. 7:23 Give Birth Like a Feminist by Milli Hill8:55 The Wife of Bath: a biography by Marion Turner11:24 Not talking about BookTube Prize semi final reading Tom Lake and Lone Women. Then ten more novels to come.12:53 Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hossein read for #CaribAthon 16:28 Elizabeth Bowen's Eva Trout and A World of Love18:42 Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan 21:00 The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunarilaka and Brotherless Night youtu.be/WY5aFFl5DW0?si=HWx1nc3VgQ8GUTHG22:56 You Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrigues translated by Natasha Wimmer to be a discussion soon with @tillysshelf 24:13 The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James 27:29 Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel translated by Rosalind Harvey 29:33 Forbidden Notebook by Alba de Céspedes translated by Ann Goldstein 33:10 After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz
As I Lay Dying #faulknerinaugust announcement Scallydandling about the books 2024-06-30 | As I Lay Dying is this year's William Faulkner shared read for #FaulknerinAugust2024Join me and the other hosts in a ftiendly Voxer group discussion of this fascinating and influential novel from 1930. There should be a good mix of Faulkner aficionados and Faulkner newbies. My Voxer identity is rcook2207 to ask to join.Your hosts are below and announcement videos are popping up now. You can also expect a video or two about the book in August from most of the hosts and you could make one too if you have a channel. Allen @bighardbooks770 Brian @BookishTexan Aaron @aaronfacer Cristina @knittingbooksetc.2810 Greg @anotherbibliophilereads Hannah @HannahsBooks Jim @JimReadsTooSlow MJ @M-J Randy Ray @LiterateTexan Una @TheCodeXCantina
Did we love Brotherless Night? Tilly and Ros on the Womens Prize and Carol Shields Prize winner Scallydandling about the books 2024-06-28 | Tilly @tillysshelf and I are reading and discussing a recent novel each month in 2024. Our May choice was Brotherless Night by VV Ganeshananthan. We didn't know then it was going to be the big prizewinner of May and June. Our June pick is You Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrigues translated by Natasha Wimmer and published in English in 2024.
A July TBR, mostly #janeaustenjuly of course Scallydandling about the books 2024-06-24 | I'm buzzing with Jane Austen July plans. Thanks to the hosts and here are their announcement videos:Katie youtu.be/wJ6CqZ1Zst4?si=RLGuZY5xH2_nDLdOClaudia youtu.be/ZJwAILIW0Fk?si=h2sKwZcs2Y-BrroHMarissa youtu.be/kPegr1krDcg?si=73CgXcGdk5zPRwC70:00 Intro ramble 1:00 Jane Austen July plans for 2024:Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, plus her letters and juveniliaThe Genius of Jane Austen, Paula Byrne. Plays by Hannah Cowley including The Belle's Stratagem, Which Is the Man? Who's the Dupe? The RunawayThe Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst, Katie Lumsden12:00 other July reading plans:Wellness, Nathan HillThe Reformatory, Tannarive DueThe House of Doors, Tan Twan EngMarzahn Mon Amour, Katja Oskamp translated Jo HeinrichElizabeth Bowen Selected Stories and A Time in RomeFactory Summers, Guy DelislePoems of Nazim Hikmet translated Randy Blasing & Mutlu Konak, a special gift from Berna @BernasBookishAdventures Indigenous Literatures from Micronesia edited by Evelyn Flores and Emelihter KihlengEve: how the female body drove 200 million years of human evolution, Cat Bohannon.Tell me if you fancy reading any plays by Hannah Cowley during Jane Austen July.And hear a taster of @katiejlumsden's new novel youtu.be/IeSRPQ2t4RE?si=-Z6JLGFTNOvjRhef
A Marvellous May packed with new fiction, golden oldies, fresh poetry and tremendous nonfiction Scallydandling about the books 2024-06-23 | A romp through my May reading with some positive recommendations and no disappointments. A bit late as I have been away. 0:00 Intro ramble1:30 Of Cattle and Men, Ana Paula Maia translated by Zoe Perry youtu.be/EHhr2pkU4ho?si=SsWpkF8ZTeJh7FGe for more about this2:08 Hagstone, Sinead Gleeson youtu.be/61dLOOPDr-s?si=Zr0bSjAppBjdY-I3 if you want to hear more3:06 The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer3:50 Poyums, Len Pennie5:52 Normal Women, Phillipa Gregory6:56 Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer8:01 Metamorphosis :a life in pieces, Robert Douglas-Fairhurst9:28 Of Human Bondage, William Somerset Maugham11:58 Reading Elizabeth Bowen - The Hotel, The Last September, The House in Paris14:21 Brotherless Night, VV Ganeshananthan16:28 James, Percival Everett18:49 Wandering Stars, Tommy Orange22:52 Closing ramble Thank you to the May reading event hosts or for inspiring many of my choicesScott @GunpowderFictionPlot and Gemma @GemofBooks @MarilynMayaMendoza and Kim @MIDDLEoftheBookMARCH Heidi @myreadinglife8816 Doris @alldbooks9165 Emma @ACupOfBooks Natalie @CuriousReader Emily @novellenovels @shawnbreathesbooks Sarah @HardcoverHearts
The Library Book Tag #librarybooktag Scallydandling about the books 2024-05-28 | Thank you Charlotte @CoynieReads for tagging me and @BookBuds for creating this tag. Libraries are wonderful things that we should use and celebrate. The thumbnail images are from my wnderful local library in Brighton.There are two sets of questions depending on whether you use libraries or not. *If you DO go to the library… answer these: 1. How often do you go to the library? 2. Do you belong to more than one library system? 3. What percentage of books you read come from the library? 4. Do you listen to audiobooks or get e-books from the library or are you hooked on Audible or Amazon or something else? 5. Did you go to story time at the library as a kid? 6. Have you ever borrowed a movie or video game from your library? 7. Have you ever been fined for returning books late? If so, how do you feel about that? 8. Do you attend special events, groups or book sales at the library? 9. Have you ever given or taken a book from a little free library, a book box or a book swap? 10. Bonus! Does your librarian know you by name? 11. Tag some friends! *If you DON’T go to the library… answer these: 1. Why the heck not? 2. Where do you get your books from? 3. Have you ever had a library card or do you have one now? 4. When was the last time you stepped foot in the library? 5. Have you ever gone to an event at your library? 6. Do you have little free libraries or book boxes or book swaps where you live? Show us a picture if you do. 7. Tag some friends!I tag:@lindysmagpiereads @novellenovels @GemofBooks @spreadbookjoy @EveningReader
Hagstone, Sinéad Gleeson: exciting new fiction but did I love it? Scallydandling about the books 2024-05-27 | Hagstone is writer and artist Sinéad Gleeson's debut novel. For an alternative perspective to mine watch @EricKarlAnderson youtu.be/xzpcTRzDmb0?si=gjdBqPysWTtO6Akaor @BobTheBookerer youtu.be/60H1HWCG-1s?si=3eQYr7hzdxm93Jp8
Ive been feasting on South American fiction: Crooked Plow, Of Cattle and Men, Not a River & more Scallydandling about the books 2024-05-19 | Readers in English are being treated at the moment to a wealth of fiction in translation from South American authors. Here are five I read in the past few weeks. What about you? Any hot tips?Books mentioned:Crooked Plow by Itamar Vieira Junior translated by Johnny LorenzNot a River by Selva Almada translated by Annie McDermottOf Cattle and Men by Ana Paula Maia translated by Zoe Perry Simpatia by Rodrigo Blanco Calderón translated by Noel Hernandez Gonzalez and Daniel HahnUndiscovered by Gabriela Wiener translated by Julia SanchesAlso mentioned in passing Jorge Amado and Clarice Lispector.
